Simply Dad

Posted on June 20, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Fathers are important.

God made sure his Son had one.

 

Matthew 1:1,10  (NIRV)
This is the written story of the family line of Jesus the Messiah . . . Joseph was the husband of Mary. And Mary was the mother of Jesus, who is called the Messiah.

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The Path of Fatherhood

Posted on June 20, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

 

“Train up a child in the way he should go-
but be sure you go that way yourself.”
Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892)

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Get Fatherhood Right

Posted on June 19, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

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Father’s Image

Posted on June 18, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

 

 

How do you remember your father?

 

 

  • What father? Never knew him
  • Better off without him
  • He kept a roof over our heads
  • A good man, a great example

Different fathers, different images.

If you base your image of God on an earthly father, you’ll get it wrong. Our God is consistently, unchangeably perfect.

James 1:17 (NIV)
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

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Shelter for Grieving Fathers

Posted on June 16, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

On Father’s Day, SHOCKWAVES (Healing the Shockwaves of Abortion) offers this prayer for fathers who lost a child to abortion. It is a beautiful prayer. I offer it here for all men who have missed their opportunity for fatherhood–via abortion, divorce, distance or even their own bad decisions:

 

You are the Father of all,
And the source and pattern of all fatherhood.

You are our Provider, our Protector, our Encourager,
And you enable us to do the same for others.
I thank you for your mercy and healing,
Of which I stand in need
As I grieve my own lost fatherhood.
I turn to you, the Eternal Father,
And ask to be renewed
And to start again.
by Fr. Frank Pavone

 

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Never Too Early

Posted on June 15, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

I passed the tissues as a friend described her daughter’s abusive marriage and nasty divorce. “I wish I’d started praying for her husband when she was just a baby,” my friend snuffled, “instead of waiting for it to be a crisis.”

 

It’s never too soon to pray for your child’s future. Just think, your prayers might divert a crisis.

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Simple Enough for a Child

Posted on June 14, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Micah 6:8 (MEV)
What does the Lord require of you,
but to do justice and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?

 

You don’t have to be a good reader, a great speaker or a strong leader.
Play fair, be kind and follow God. You can do this.

 

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Teach It Early and Often

Posted on June 13, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Luke 6:31 (NIV)
Do to others as you would have them do to you.

 

 

When I was a little girl in Sunday School, dressed in my best patent leather shoes and bow-tied dresses, we repeated this verse every week. It’s served me well for over 60 years.

Let’s go out and do for other children as it was done for me.

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Childish Anger

Posted on June 12, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

When my kids got really angry with me, they’d try to hurt me with their words. Our adopted children said, “You’re not my real mom.” My biological kids said, “I didn’t ask to be born.” Or the old standby, “I hate you.”

 

 

When I get really mad at God, I try to hurt him:

I hate you.
I don’t believe in you anymore.
You’re not real.

He could zap me with a thunderbolt, but he doesn’t. He patiently waits for me to grow up, calm down and come to my senses.

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For the Children

Posted on June 10, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

 

 

What’s your prayer for the children in your life?

 

  • That they’ll be happy and healthy
  • Success in school
  • That they’ll stay out of trouble

How about these?

Love the Lord — heart, soul, mind and strength, and their neighbors as themselves
(Mark 12:30-31) 

Be filled with the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control
(Galatians 5:22-23) 

Seek first the kingdom of God
(Matthew 6:33) 

Use their spiritual gifts to build up the Church
(Ephesians 4:12)

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